Pneumatic systems and parts and method



Nov. 8, 1966 R. L. GOLDEN 3,

PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS AND PARTS AND METHOD Filed June 16, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet l FIG.I

I Adi/1V I INVENTOR.

36 370 ROBERT L.GOLDEN v \37 BY 32 FIG.3

HlS ATTORNEYS Nov. 8, 1966 R. L. GOLDEN 3,233,666

PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS AND PARTS AND METHOD Filed June 16, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ROBERT L.GOLDEN flws am HIS ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent 3,283,666 PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS AND PARTS AND METHOD Robert L.Golden, Greensburg, Pa., assignor to Robertshaw Controls Company,Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 16, 1964, Ser. No.375,572 9 Claims. (Cl. 91-37) This invention relates to an improvedpneumatic control system as well as to improved parts for such a systemor the like. In addition, this invention relates toan improved methodfor operating such a system or the like.

Pneumatic systems have been provided wherein a pneumatic source isselectively directed to a pneumatic actuator tocause that actuator tomove from its normal position to its actuated position. However, somemeans must be provided for returning the actuated actuator from itsactuated position to its normal position by interconnecting the chamberof the actuator to the atmosphere.

'orifice means not materially affecting the actuation of the actuatorfrom its normal position to its actuated position when the pneumaticsignal is being imposed thereon.

- Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedpneumatic'system having one or more of the novel features of thisinvention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described. I

Another object of this invention is to provide improved parts for such apneumatic system or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method ofcontrolling such a pneumatic system or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from'areading ofthis description, which procee'cls with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

A FIGURE 1 is a schematic view illustrating one pneumatic system of thisinvention.

FIGURE 2 is a top planview of the selector valve of FIGURE 1 with thefilter and backing member removed.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 ofFIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 ofFIGURE 2.

' FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken substantially online 55 of either FIGURE 2 or 4.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 and illustrates anotherembodiment of this invention. Y

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view illustrating anotherembodiment of this invention.

. FIGURE 8 is a view similar ,to FIGURE 7 and illustrates anotherembodiment of this invention.

FIGURE 9 is a side view, partially in cross section, illustratinganother embodiment of this invention;

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter describedand illustrated as being particularly adaptable for use in a vacuumcontrolled system, it is to be understood that the various features ofthis invention can be utilized in other types of systems or the like.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only Patented Nov. 8,1966 the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, because the drawingsare merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses ofthis invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the improved pneumatic system of thisinvention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and isadapted to control the movement of a pneumatic actuator 11, the actuator11 comprising a cup-shaped housing 12 having a flexible diaphragm 13attached thereto and cooperating therewith to define a chamber 14therebetween.

The flexible diaphragm 13 of the actuator 11 is interconnected to anoperating shaft 15 which controls the operation of a device 16, such awater mixing valve or the like. Thus, when the chamber 14 of theactuator 11 is evacuated by being interconnected to a vacuum source in amanner hereinafter described, the flexible diaphragm 13 is moveddownwardly from the dotted position illustrated in FIGURE 1 to the fullline position illustrated in FIG- URE l to pull downwardly on the shaft15 and cause operation of the device 16 in a particular manner. However,when a normal atmospheric condition is again created in the chamber 14of the actuator 11 in a manner hereinafter described, the flexiblediaphragm 13 moves from the full line position illustrated in FIGURE 1to the dotted line position illustrated in FIGURE 1 whereby the rod 15is moved upwardly to provide another operating position of the device16.

One means for selectively interconnecting a vacuum source to the chamber14 of the actuator 11 includes a program means 17 illustrated in FIGURE1, the program means 17 comprising a reading head 18 having a pluralityof passage means 19 and 20 passing therethrough and interrupting thefiat reading surface 21 thereof.

The passage mean-s 19 is inter-connected to a flexible conduit 22 or thelike interconnected to the inlet of a vacuum regulator 23, the outlet ofthe vacuum regulator 23 interconnected to -a flexible conduit 24 or thelike interconnected to the inlet of a vacuum pump 25.

The program means 17 includes a flexible, tape-like member 26operatively interconnected to a rigid backing member 27 so that themembers 26 and 27 are adapted to move in unison relative to the readingsurface 21 of the reading head 18 by any suitable means, porousresilient means 28 being disposed between the backing member 27 and tapemember 26.

The flexible tape member or reading sheet 26 has a plurality of raisedblisters 29 formed therein in a predetermined pattern to define -aplurality of closed endedchannels 30 adapted to bridge two or morepassage means 19 and 20 in the reading head 18 in the manner illustratedin FIGURE 1.

Thus, when the particular blister 29 illustrated in FIG- URE 1 of thereading sheet 26 bridges the passage means 19 and 20 of the reading head18, it can be seen that the inlet of the vacuum pump 25 is effectivelyinterconnected to the passage means 20. However, when the reading sheet26 is moved relative to the reading surface 21 of the reading head 18 ina manner to cause the reading sheet 26 to cover the passage 20, theinlet of the vacu-nm pump 25 is no longer interconnected to the passagemeans 20.

In the above manner, it can be seen that the reading sheet 26 is adaptedto selectively interconnect a source of vacuum to the passage means 20by means of the blisters 29 thereof.

The passage means 20 of the reading head 18 is interconnected to aflexible conduit means 31 leading to a nipple 32 of a selector valvemeans 33.

As illustrated in FIGURES -2-5, the selector valve means 33 includes areading head 34 having the reading surface 35 thereof interrupted by aplurality of passage means, such as passage means 36 and 37 asillustrated in FIGURE 3 and 3'8'illustrated in FIGURE 4, the passagemeans 36, 37 and 38 respectively passing through nipples 32, 39 and 40carried by the reading head 34.

The selector valve means 33 includes a flexible tapelike member 41interconnected to a rigid backing member 42 by pin means 43 whereby thebacking member 42 and tape means 41 rotate in unison relative to thereading surface 35 of the reading head 34, the space between the backingmember 42 and flexible member 41 being filled with a porous resilientmaterial 44 for a purpose hereinafter described.

As illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the reading tape 41 has a pluralityof raised blisters 45 formed therein to define deadcnded channels 46adapted to bridge certain of the passage means in the reading head 34.

For example, when the reading tape 41 is disposed in the positionillustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the blister 45 illustrated in FIGURE 3will bridge the passage means 36 and 37 of the reading head 34 wherebythe flexible conduit 31 attached to the nipple 32 will be interconnectedto a flexible conduit 47 attached to the nipple 39 and to the actuatorhousing 12 for a purpose hereinafter described.

Thus, it can be seen that when the program means 17 is disposed in theposition illustrated in FIGURE 1 and the selector valve means 33 isdisposed in the position illustrated in FIGURE 3, the chamber 14 of theactuator 11 is interconnected to the inlet of the vacuum pump "25whereby the chamber 14 is effectively evacuated to "to permit thediaphragm 13 to move to its normal position illustrated by dotted line-sin FIGURE 1.

However, the selector valve means 33 is so constructed and arranged in amanner hereinafter described that the same permits air to return to theevacuated chamber 14 of the actuated actuator 11 at a control-led rate,so that the diaphragm 13 will return to its normal position.

In particular, it can be seen in FIGURES 2 and 4 that a substantiallycircular blister 48 i-sformed in the reading sheet 41 and has anaperture means 49 passing therethrough for a purpose hereinafterdescribed. The raised circular, blister 48 of the reading sheet 41 isdisposed a predetermined distance from the passage means 38 in thereading head 34 in the manner illustrated in FIG- RE 4.

However, a groove means 50 is formed in the reading surface 35 of thereading head 34 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 4 and toelfectively interconnect the aperture means 49 with the passage means38, the groove means 50 being so constructed and arranged that the samepermits ,air to flow from the aperture means 49 to the passage means 38at a controlled rate.

Thus, it can be seen when the selector valve means 33 is disposed in theposition illustrated in the drawings, the atmosphere is interconnectedat all times to .the chamber 14 of the actuator 11. However, when thevacuum source 25 is interconnected to the chamber 11' by means of theprogram means 17, the vacuum pump 25 is adapted to effectively evacuatethe chamber 14 without being adversely affected by the aperture means 49because of the controlled size of the groove. means 50 whereby thediaphragm 13 will effectively move toits actuated position.

However, when the program means 17 terminates the flow of the pneumaticsignal to the actuator 11, the actuator 11 is adapted to have thediaphragm 13 thereof move from its actuated position to its normaldotted line position in FIGURE 1 at a controlled rate by air being drawnthrough the filter means 44 and into the aperture means 49, groove means50 and passage means 38 which is interconnected to the conduit 47 by abranch conduit 51.

Thus, the actuator 11 moves to its normal position after actuationthereof by the program means 17 at a controlled rate provided by theselector valve 33.

While the selector valve means 33 has been illustrated as having agroove means 50 in the reading head 34 to interconnect the aperturemeans 49 with the passage means 38, it is to be understood that acontrolled groove means could be provided in the reading sheet 41 forsuch purpose.

In particular, reference is made to FIGURE 6 wherein parts thereofsimilar to the device illustrated in FIGURE 4 are indicated by likereference numerals followed by the reference letter A. As illustrated inFIGURE 6, no groove means 50 is formed in the reading head 34A tointerconnect the aperture means 49A with the passage means 38A. Instead,a small groove means 52 is formed in the reading sheet 41A in the formof a raised blister 53 having a cross-sectional channel defining meanssubstantially smaller than the blisters 45 previously described.

In this manner, air is adapted to flow from the aperture means 49A ofthe reading sheet 41A through the passage means 38A at a controlled rateas provided by the groove means 52 for the same purpose as the. groovemeans 50 previously described.

While the size and length of .the groove means 50 and 52 can vary, oneembodiment thereof comprises groove means 50- or 52 being-approximately0.093 of aninch from the nearest edge of the passage means 38 or 38A tothe blister 48 or 48A of the reading sheet 41 or 41A.

The groove 50 in the reading head 34 can have approximately right-angledside walls thereof in a triangular configuration as illustrated inFIGURE 5 wherein the depth of the groove means 50 at its deepest pointis approximately 0.005 plus .000 or minus .001 of an inch.

It has been found that when the aperture means 49 of the reading sheet41 is in direct communication with the conduit 47 and the program means17 is interconnecting the vacuum pump 25 to the line 37, the regulator23 has greater stability because of the controlled rate provided by theaperture means 49 as a calibrated minimum air flow is passing throughthe regulator at all times so that the valve member thereof will notclose and provide leakage problems thereof. Thus, since the valve meansof the regulator 23 will be slightly open because of the calibrated airleak provided by the aperture means 49 and .groovemeans 50, theregulator functions at its best oper- .11, another device 54 of thisinvention could be utilized.

As illustrated in FIGURE 7, the device 54 includes a hollow tubularmember 55 having opposed open ends 56 and 57 adapted to be respectivelytelescopically received in sealing relation in the conduits 31 and 47previously described to interconnect the passage means 20of the readinghead 18 to the chamber 14 of the actuator 11.-

The hollow tubular member 55 has a raised cylindrical portion 58, thecylindrical portion 58 having an orifice 59 passing therethrough in amanner transversely to the longitudinal axis ofthe tubular member 55 andinterconmeeting the exterior thereof with the interior thereof.

A Washer-like filter member 60 is telescopically disposed around thecylindrical portion 58 of the tubular member 55 and covers the orifice59 for a purpose hereinafter described.

A pair of washer-like retainers 61 are respectively tele} scopicallydisposed on the hollow tubular member 55' and abut against thecylindrical portion 58 thereof, the washer like retainer 61 being silversoldered to the tubular member 14 of the actuated actuator 11 at a rateof approximately 15 cu. inches of air per minute in a manner similar tothe selector valve 33, the air returning to the chamber 14 of theactuator 11 being filtered through the filter means 60.

Alternately, a device 63 of this invention can be utilized in place ofthe device 54 and selector valve 33.

As illustrated in FIGURE 8, the device 63 comprises a hollow T-shapedmember 67 having the opposed ends 68 and 69 of the cross member 70thereof telescopically received in the ends of the flexible conduits 31and 47 to effectively interconnect the passage means 20 of the readinghead 18 to the chamber 14 of the actuator 11.

The hollow cross member 70 of the T-shaped member 67 is interconected toan open end 71 of the leg 72 of the T-shaped member 67.

A hollow tubular member 73 is telescoped over the end 71 of the leg 73in sealing relation therewith and carries a cup-shaped member 74press-fitted therein and having an orifice 75 passing through the closedend 76 thereof.

A porous filter means 77 is also disposed in the hollow tubular member73 outboard of the orifice cup 74 to filter the flow of air from theatmosphere through the orifice means 75 to the chamber 14 of theactuator 11.

If desired, the controlled leakage to the chamber 14 of the actuator 11could be formed in the housing member 12 of the actuator 11 in themanner illustrated in FIG- URE 9.

In particular, the housing 11 has an extension 78 pro vided with astepped bore means 79 interconnecting the atmosphere with the chamber14. However, an orifice cup-shaped member 80, similar to the member 74previously described, is press-fitted in the stepped bore 79 against ashoulder 81 thereof and has an orifice 82 passing through the closed end83 thereof.

A porous filter means 84 is also press-fitted in the stepped bore 79 andis disposed against a shoulder 85 thereof.

Thereafter, the free end 86 of the extension 78 is spun over in themanner illustrate-d in FIGURE 9 to hold the filter means 84 therein.

Accordingly, it can be seen that various devices are provided by thisinvention for providing a controlled leakage of air to the chamber of anactuator 11 or the like so that the same can return to normalatmospheric condi tions after the pneumatic signal thereto has beenterminated.

Thus, this invention not only provides an improved pneumatic system, butalso this invention provides improved parts for such system or the likeand an improved method of operating such a system or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed asrequired by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within thescope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a pneumatic actuator having a normal position and anactuated position and having a chamber for receiving a pneumatic signal,a pneumatic source, first means interconnecting said source with saidchamber, said first means having a selector means between said sourceand said actuator for selectively interconnecting said source with saidchamber to move said actuator from its normal position to its actuatedposition, and second means continuously interconnecting said chamber tothe atmosphere so that said actuator can return to its normal positionat a controlled rate when said selector means disconnects said sourcefrom said chamber,

6 said second means not effectiing movement of said actuator from itsnormal position to its actuated position by said selector means, saidsecond means including a tape member having aperture means passingtherethrough and cooperating with a reading head having a port meansinterconnected to said chamber of said actuator, one of said tape memberand said reading head having means interconnecting said aperture meanswith said port means.

2. A combination .as set forth in claim 1 wherein said last-named meanscomprises groove means formed in said reading head.

3. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said last-named meanscomprises groove means formed in said tape member.

4. In combination, a pneumatic actuator having a normal position and anactuated position and having a chamber for receiving a pneumatic signal,a pneumatic source, first means interconnecting said source with saidchamber, said first means having a selector means between said sourceand said actuator for selectively interconnecting said source with saidchamber to move said actuator from its normal position to its actuatedposition, and second means continuously interconnecting said chamber tothe atmosphere so that actuator can return to its normal position at acontrolled rate when said selector means disconnects said source fromsaid chamber, said second means not effecting movement of said actuatorfrom its normal position to its actuated position by said selectormeans, said second means including a tubular member having opposedopened ends and having an orifice means in the side wall thereof andinterconnecting the exterior of said tubular member with the interiorthereof, said first means including two conduit sections respectivelyhaving adjacent opened ends telescopically receiving said opened ends ofsaid tubular member whereby said tubular member forms part of the flowpath between said actuator and said source.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 and including a washer-likefilter member telescopically receiving said tubular member and coveringsaid orifice means.

6. In combination, a pneumatic actuator having a normal position and anactuated position and having a chamber for receiving a pneumatic signal,a pneumatic source, first means interconnecting said source with saidchamber, said first means having a selector means between said sourceand said actuator for selectively interconnecting said source with saidchamber to move said actuator from its normal position to its actuatedposition,

and second means continuously interconnecting said' chamber to theatmosphere so that said actuator can return to its normal position at acontrol rate when said selector means disconnects said source from saidchamber, said second means not effecting movement of said actuator fromits normal position to its actuated position by said selector means,said second means comprising a hollow T-shaped member, a tubular membertelescopically receiving the leg of said T-shaped member, an orificemeans disposed in said tubular member to interconnect the atmosphere tothe interior of said T-shaped member, said T-shaped member having thecross member thereof provided with opposed opened ends, said first meansincluding two conduit sections respectively having adjacent opened endstelescopically receiving said opened ends of said cross member of saidT-shaped member whereby said cross member of said T-shaped member formspart of the flow path bteween said actuator and said source.

7. A combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein a filter means isdisposed in said tubular member outboard of said orifice means.

8. In combination, a pneumatic actuator having a normal position and anactuated position and having a chamber for receiving a pneumatic signal,a pneumatic source, first means interconnecting said source with saidchamber, said first means having a selector means between said sourceand said actuator for selectively interconnecting said source with saidchamber to move said actuator from its normal position to its actuatedposition, and second means continuously interconnecting said chamber tothe atmosphere so that said actuator can re turn to its normal positionat a controlled rate when said selector means disconnects said sourcefrom said chamher, said second means not effecting movement of saidactuator from its normal position to its actuated position by saidselector means, said actuator including a housing having a passagetherein interconnecting said chamber with the atmosphere, said secondmeans including an orifice means carried by said housing andinterconnecting the atmosphere with said chamber, said orifice meanscomprising a cup-shaped member press fitted in said passage and havingan orifice in the closed end thereof, said passage being subsequentlydeformed to maintain the orifice means therein in a fixed position.

8 filter means is carried by saidhonsing and is disposed outboard 0tsaid orifice means in said passage.

References Cited by the Examiner I UNITED STATES PATENTS v 1,062,5535/1913 Preston.

1,070,740 8/1913 Sabroe 60-60 X 1,208,554 12/1916 Helmholtz 913752,208,666 7/1940 De Florez 91'51 X 2,466,041 4/1949 Peoples et al. 9151X 2,584,995 2/1952 Fageol 60-60 X 2,602,429 7/ 1952 Worster 91-522,718,878 9/1955 Du Bois 91-51 X 3,080,853 3/1963 Puster 91-47 X3,123,976 3/1964 Mansell 60-60 MARTIN P. SCHWADRON, Primary Examiner.

SAMUEL LEVINE, Examiner.

- 9. A combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein a 0 S RQSEN:Assistant Emmimm

1. IN COMBINATION, A PNEUMATIC ACTUATOR HAVING A NORMAL POSITION AND ANACTUATED POSITION AND HAVING A CHAMBER FOR RECEIVING A PNEUMATIC SIGNAL,A PNEUMATIC SOURCE, FIRST MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID SOURCE WITH SAIDCHAMBER, SAID FIRST MEANS HAVING A SELECTOR MEANS BETWEEN SAID SOURCEAND SAID ACTUATOR FOR SELECTIVELY INTERCONNECTING SAID SOURCE WITH SAIDCHAMBER TO MOVE SAID ACTUATOR FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION TO ITS ACTUATEDPOSITION, AND SECOND MEANS CONTINUOUSLY INTERCONNECTING SAID CHAMBER TOTHE ATMOSPHERE SO THAT SAID ACTUATOR CAN RETURN TO ITS NORMAL POSITIONAT A CONTROLLED RATE WHEN SAID SELECTOR MEANS DISCONNECTS SAID SOURCEFROM SAID CHAMBER, SAID SECOND MEANS NOT EFFECTING MOVEMENT OF SAIDACTUATOR FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION TO ITS ACTUATED POSITION BY SAIDSELECTOR MEANS, SAID SECOND MEANS INCLUDING A TAPE MEMBER HAVINGAPERTURE MEANS PASSING THERETHROUGH AND COOPERATING WITH A READING HEADHAVING A PORT MEANS INTERCONNECTED TO SAID CHAMBER OF SAID ACTUATOR, ONEOF SAID TAPE MEMBER AND SAID READING HEAD HAVING MEANS INTERCONNECTINGSAID APERTURE MEANS WITH SAID PORT MEANS.